MASTER OF ARTS
Mathematics Education
(Middle Grades)

Teaching middle school math requires advanced knowledge and training to prepare students for high school, college, and beyond. Ready for the challenge?Teach middle school math, and prepare students for future success.

WGU’s Teachers College was named the best value in teacher education by the National Council on Teacher Quality—among 1,100 programs nationwide.

Named best value among 1,100 programs nationwide by the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Overview

Earn your master's in mathematics education. Make a difference teaching middle school math.

With America's schools increasingly focused on STEM, the demand for qualified math teachers has never been greater. Today's middle school math teachers need to know how to make increasingly complex subject matter understandable for students in grades five through nine.

If you are a licensed teacher with a bachelor's degree, this WGU master's program can prepare you to teach middle school math and play an important role in American education. Our middle-grades* math curriculum is designed to focus on learning how to help students expand their understanding of basic math, including geometry and algebra, that will provide a solid foundation for the rigors high school and beyond.

* The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.

Interested in teaching other grade levels? Check out the following WGU degree programs for already-licensed teachers:

Eligibility note: WGU's M.A. Mathematics Education programs are for already-licensed teachers who would like to add an endorsement or grade range other than what is already on their current license. The M.A. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) program is for certified teachers who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to add middle-grades math to their existing licenses. This program is not intended for:

Graduates who recommend WGU:

97%

American middle schools need rock-star math teachers!

Middle school math is all about growing confidence and encouraging a greater understanding of complex mathematical concepts. If you have the specialized knowledge and training to teach fifth through ninth grade math, you'll be in demand. Earn your master's degree in mathematics education, and become a difference-maker in your school!

An advanced curriculum to become a highly qualified middle school math teacher.

WGU's M.A. in Mathematics Education is an affordable, online program that prepares you to teach math in the middle grades. (The specific grade levels you will be eligible to teach depend on your state’s licenses and endorsements.) Our curriculum focuses on effective strategies for teaching middle school math and preparing students for more complex coursework they'll face in high school and college.

WGU is the nation’s largest provider of math and science teaching degrees. Our M.A. for middle school math teachers was designed (and is regularly updated) with input from experts on our Education Program Council., who know what it takes to successfully teach mathematics in grades five through nine. This curriculum is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

A supported, personalized experience.

WGU is unlike any university you’ve experienced before—in the best possible way! Take a quick look at what we mean:

FacultyLearningAssessmentIn-Classroom ExperienceAlumni Support

Faculty

SUPPORTING YOU: Faculty focused on students.

WGU faculty members have one goal in mind: your success. A Program Mentor is your individually assigned faculty member, providing program guidance and instruction from the day you start to the day you graduate. Course Instructors provide subject-matter instruction and support, typically one-on-one, exactly when you need it.

Learning

YOUR ROADMAP: A personalized learning plan.

Your program is made up of a series of courses, each a personalized journey toward subject mastery. A preassessment provides insight into what you already know. You’ll then learn what you still need to learn, using online learning resources—available 24/7—along with one-on-one or cohort-based faculty instruction.

Assessment

PROVE IT: Show you know your stuff.

WGU measures learning, not time, so each course in your program culminates in an assessment—a test, paper, project, or presentation that allows you to prove what you know. As soon as you’re ready, take the assessment—including the ability to take proctored exams from the comfort of your own home— via webcam, any time of day!

In-Classroom Experience

REAL-WORLD: Experience in a classroom.

Most of your program will be completed online but all teacher licensure programs—and many graduate-level programs for already-licensed teachers—also include the opportunity to observe and practice in a K–12 classroom setting. We’ll help you set everything up at a school near you.

Alumni Support

ALWAYS a Night Owl: WGU for life.

Continued support after you graduate includes many opportunities for professional development and enrichment, career support, and networking. WGU Night Owls may be independent learners, but they also become highly engaged in our active alumni community through apps, groups, and events.

The accreditation you need, plus industry respect and recognition.

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

Accredited

WGU's Teachers College is the first exclusively online university to receive accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, now CAEP).

Paired with WGU's university-wide accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, these accreditations assure your teaching degree from WGU will be highly respected.

Respected

“After graduating from WGU, and through all the rigor and quality of instruction that I received in the educational field, I was awarded Hawaii District Teacher of the Year in 2012.”

Amoreena Nestman M.A. Teaching – Elementary Education

Recognized

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) in 2017 placed WGU’s Teachers College in the top 1% nationwide for the quality of its secondary teacher-preparation programs. This follows several other NCTQ recognitions, including the nation’s #1 best value for teacher education in 2015.

Accredited

Respected

Recognized

Our programs check all the boxes. If this degree is your goal, get started toward becoming a student today—programs start the first of each month.

Control the cost of your program: Our tuition links cost to time.

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Flat-rate tuition of $3,385 per term links cost to time.

By charging per 6-month term rather than per credit hour—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or can learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

There's help if you need it.

Financial aid is available.

Our goal: You graduate with little or no debt.

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2016 (among those who borrowed) was less than half the national average. WGU’s three-pronged approach to keeping your debt low and your return on investment quick: One, provide useful information and advice on responsible borrowing before enrollment. Two, keep tuition low while you're enrolled. And three, offer degree programs that lead to better-paying jobs after graduation.

Degree Cost Comparison*

For-Profit Online University

Other Nonprofit Online University

WGU

Earn your master’s in math education for about half what you’d pay at another university.

Low tuition and the ability to accelerate make WGU more affordable than most other schools. When you compare us with other programs, WGU’s Master of Arts Mathematics Education degree program offers rigorous curriculum with competitive post-graduation results for around half what you'd pay at another university—or even less.

A nationally recognized curriculum to upgrade your teaching career with mathematics credentials.

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.

Every course focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s Master of Arts Mathematics Education curriculum.

That means that what you learn will be directly applicable in your math classroom—and in fueling your students’ confidence. It’s all about real-world applicability so every moment spent studying is time well spent.

Courses in this program.

This program is made up of the following courses. You will complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.

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General Education

College Algebra

This course provides further application and analysis of algebraic concepts and functions through mathematical modeling of real-world situations. Topics include: real numbers, algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of linear equations.

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Mathematics Content

Finite Mathematics

Finite Mathematics covers the knowledge and skills necessary to apply discrete mathematics and properties of number systems to model and solve real-life problems. Topics include sets and operations; prime and composite numbers; GCD and LCM; order of operations; ordering numbers; mathematical systems including modular arithmetic, arithmetic and geometric sequences, ratio and proportion, subsets of real numbers, logic and truth tables, graphs, trees and networks, and permutation and combination. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Trigonometry and Precalculus

Trigonometry and Precalculus covers the knowledge and skills necessary to apply trigonometry, complex numbers, systems of equations, vectors and matrices, and sequences and series, and to use appropriate technology to model and solve real-life problems. Topics include degrees; radians and arcs; reference angles and right triangle trigonometry; applying, graphing and transforming trigonometric functions and their inverses; solving trigonometric equations; using and proving trigonometric identities; geometric, rectangular, and polar approaches to complex numbers; DeMoivre's Theorem; systems of linear equations and matrix-vector equations; systems of nonlinear equations; systems of inequalities; and arithmetic and geometric sequences and series. College Algebra is a prerequisite for this course.

Probability and Statistics I

Probability and Statistics I covers the knowledge and skills necessary to apply basic probability, descriptive statistics, and statistical reasoning, and to use appropriate technology to model and solve real-life problems. It provides an introduction to the science of collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data, including representations, constructions and interpretation of graphical displays (e.g., box plots, histograms, cumulative frequency plots, scatter plots). Topics include creating and interpreting numerical summaries and visual displays of data; regression lines and correlation; evaluating sampling methods and their effect on possible conclusions; designing observational studies, controlled experiments, and surveys; and determining probabilities using simulations, diagrams, and probability rules. Candidates should have completed a course in College Algebra before engaging in this course.

Calculus I

Calculus I is the study of rates of change in relation to the slope of a curve and covers the knowledge and skills necessary to use differential calculus of one variable and appropriate technology to solve basic problems. Topics include graphing functions and finding their domains and ranges; limits, continuity, differentiability, visual, analytical, and conceptual approaches to the definition of the derivative; the power, chain, and sum rules applied to polynomial and exponential functions, position and velocity; and L'Hopital's Rule. Candidates should have completed a course in Pre-Calculus before engaging in this course.

College Geometry

College Geometry covers the knowledge and skills necessary to use dynamic technology to explore geometry, to use axiomatic reasoning to prove statements about geometry, and to apply geometric models to solve real-life problems. Topics include axiomatic systems, analytic proofs, coordinate geometry, plane and solid Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometries, constructions, transformations, deductive reasoning, and dynamic technology. For candidates enrolled in the MAMEMG program, College Algebra as well as Trigonometry and Precalculus are prerequisites. For candidates enrolled in the MAMES program, Trigonometry and Precalculus is a prerequisite.

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Mathematics Education

Mathematics Learning and Teaching

Mathematics Learning and Teaching will help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become a prospective and practicing educator. You will be able to use a variety of instructional strategies to effectively facilitate the learning of mathematics. This course focuses on selecting appropriate resources, using multiple strategies, and instructional planning, with methods based on research and problem solving. A deep understanding of the knowledge, skills, and disposition of mathematics pedagogy is necessary to become an effective secondary mathematics educator. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Algebra for Secondary Mathematics Teaching

Algebra for Secondary Mathematics Teaching explores important conceptual underpinnings, common misconceptions and students’ ways of thinking, appropriate use of technology, and instructional practices to support and assess the learning of algebra. Secondary teachers should have an understanding of the following: algebra as an extension of number, operation, and quantity; various ideas of equivalence as it pertains to algebraic structures; patterns of change as covariation between quantities; connections between representations (tables, graphs, equations, geometric models, context); and the historical development of content and perspectives from diverse cultures. In particular, the focus should be on deeper understanding of rational numbers, ratios and proportions, meaning and use of variables, functions (e.g., exponential, logarithmic, polynomials, rational, quadratic), and inverses. Calculus I is a prerequisite for this course.

Mathematics History and Technology

In this course, you will learn about a variety of technological tools for doing mathematics, and develop a broad understanding of the historical development of mathematics. You will come to understand that mathematics is a very human subject that comes from the macro-level sweep of cultural and societal change, as well as the micro-level actions of individuals with personal, professional, and philosophical motivations. You will focus on the historical development of mathematics including contributions of significant figures and diverse cultures. Most importantly, you will learn to evaluate and apply technological tools and historical information to create an enriching student-centered mathematical learning environment.

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Middle School Mathematics Content

Middle School Mathematics: Content Knowledge

Mathematics: Middle School Content Knowledge is designed to help candidates refine and integrate the mathematics content knowledge and skills necessary to become successful middle school mathematics teachers. A high level of mathematical reasoning skills and the ability to solve problems are necessary to complete this course. Prerequisites for this course are College Geometry, Probability and Statistics I, and Pre-Calculus.

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Research

Research Foundations

The Research Foundations course focuses on the essential concepts of four major research approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed, and action research. No original data collection or analysis will be required in this course.

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Research Fundamentals

Research Questions and Literature Review

The Research Questions and Literature Reviews course focuses on how to conduct a thorough literature review that addresses and identifies important educational research topics, problems, and questions, and helps determine the appropriate kind of research and data needed to answer one's research questions and hypotheses.

Teaching in the Middle School examines the guiding principles and best teaching practices for educating middle school students. The course explores the history of the middle school, the philosophy, theory, and rationale behind middle school organization; and the differences between elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The course also examines the unique needs of middle school students and teaching methods used to meet the needs of these learners. This course has no prerequisites.

Plan to work hard: Program requirements and expectations.

The M.A. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) program is a mostly online program that you will complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 8 competency units each 6-month term. (One course is typically 3 or 4 units.)

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, an expert in your program who can explain all the requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Capstone Project. The M.A. Mathematics Education program requires the successful completion of a capstone project. This written project will take you through the steps of planning and conducting research on a topic or issue related to your practice setting. The result is expected to be a significant piece of research, culminating in a written research report, including sections describing a literature review, methodology, and detailed analysis and reporting of results.

We offer degrees for in-demand careers that provide the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Give your résumé the boost it needs!

A top-quality curriculum developed with guidance from education leaders and academic experts.

To ensure our teaching degrees are consistent with the expectations of today’s schools, we develop courses with input from councils composed of nationally recognized experts in education. Council members offer guidance on key competencies to be expected from successful WGU graduates.

How You'll Learn

A different way to learn: Degree programs designed to fit your life—and all the demands on your time.

Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused math teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.

Designed for working teachers.

WGU's mathematics education master's degree program is designed for licensed teachers who already have a bachelor's degree and who wish to improve their knowledge and teaching skills to teach mathematics at the junior high/middle school level.

This program is specifically designed for working adult students, so you can honor your current work and family responsibilities while completing your coursework.

Competency-Based Education (CBE)

How it helps you

Efficient

Save time and money by focusing your efforts where they matter the most.

How much do you already know? Today’s adult students come from different professional backgrounds with varying levels of knowledge and experience. Competency-based education empowers you to take the most efficient path to complete your studies.

Flexible

Learn on your own terms.

What works best for you? No two students—or their schedules—are the same. Whether you’re at your best in the early morning or more energized when you get home from work, your study schedule can be personalized to accommodate your lifestyle and responsibilities.

Results

Know you’re learning real-world skills.

Will your teaching credentials be recognized? Today's schools look for teachers with the knowledge, skills, and experience to help students understand how to solve problems. WGU’s online teaching degree programs includes a student teaching component to prepare you for real-world classrooms.

Finish courses by proving what you know, as soon as you’re ready.

With competency-based education at WGU, success is measured by actual learning, not class time. You advance by demonstrating that you've mastered the course subject matter—whether you learned it through your study at WGU or picked up that knowledge through years of work experience.

Your progress through a course is driven by you.

How quickly you learn

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The time you devote to studying

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How much previous knowledge you bring

See it in action

Play the game to see how a competency-based course works at WGU.

competency, noun

Demonstrated knowledge, skill, or ability required to advance in a degree program.

At WGU, course competencies are defined by an expert council, including employers.

For this course, there are 3 areas you need to prove competency in.

Start

First, let's take a pre‑assessment.

Determine what you already know from previous work and education experience, and where you need to focus your studies. Prove your competency in 3 areas in this exercise.

Result:

Your experience pays at WGU.

Build the future of your career on a strong foundation: Math teachers are in high demand.

A nationwide shortage of math teachers has created a high demand for educators with the knowledge and training to help tweens and teens build solid math skills in the middle grades. WGU's M.A. in Mathematics Education is an NCATE-accredited program specifically designed to prepare you to teach middle school math.

The U.S. Department of Education, in Foundations for Success: The Final Report for National Mathematics Advisory Panel, advises an increase in math curriculum for middle school-age kids. The report notes that improving K–12 mathematics education is a national interest and recommends adding "math specialist teachers" to primary schools. Teachers in this specialist role would serve as full-time educators in the classroom, or as math coaches for K–12 teachers. This unique position will require specialized knowledge, and a master’s degree in mathematics education can help you prepare for that type of leadership role.

If you're an already-practicing teacher with a bachelor's degree, and you take the courses necessary to become a highly qualified math teacher, you will be well positioned for a prosperous career almost anywhere in the United States.

6%

Employment of middle and high school teachers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

WGU has alumni teaching across the country.

Graduates of WGU’s Teachers College have found meaningful, rewarding careers in classrooms at:

Inclusionary K–12 classrooms

Middle/junior high schools

High schools

Private and charter schools

Impressive class of graduates.

Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:

Gates Millennium Scholars

Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology

Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award

Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award

Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award

Explore a career as a teacher who specializes in math.

WGU is a university committed to producing successful grads.

The ultimate test of your degree's value is whether it helps you become an outstanding employee and advance your career. Our happy grads—and their happy employers—confirm that WGU is the path to that kind of degree.

Happy employers

Happy grads

They're Prepared.

Employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

They Perform.

Employers rated WGU graduates' job performance as very good or excellent.

They Wow.

Employers said their WGU graduates have exceeded their expectations.

They're Confident.

Graduates said the majority of their coursework was related to their jobs.

“At WGU the education was great, the flexibility was amazing, and the support was always just a phone call away. WGU prepared the teacher I am today!" Lisamarie Bermudez
WGU M.A. Mathematics Education alum and Harford, Maryland, Teacher of the Year finalist

Your Enrollment Counselor is there to help you make an informed decision.

The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU is made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialists, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program … and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual is a good fit for WGU’s programs and competency-based, online academic model.

Common questions for the MA Math Education program.

I am currently a high school math teacher, can I enroll in the MA Math Education?

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Our MA Math Education program is designed for licensed teachers who want to expand their abilities by adding a Math endorsement. If you are already licensed to teach Math, you can add skills and an endorsement by pursuing one of our other graduate programs for licensed teachers.

Is there a practicum requirement for this program?

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There will be a small practicum in the capstone for the degree. You will be teaching a multi-week lesson plan to a body of at least 10 students. This lesson plan usually consists of about 10 hours of in-class time.

WGU is school on your terms.

School can fit into your life—start working toward your better future now.